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PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif on Monday chaired a meeting of the party's parliamentary board — hours after the newly-elected MNAs swore oath in the National Assembly — to discuss the PML-N's future strategy as part of the opposition.

Addressing the meeting, attended by the PML-N lawmakers, Shahbaz alleged that "historical rigging" took place during the July 25 elections. He, however, said that the party MNAs had sworn the oath to "devotedly play the role for which the nation has elected them".

The PML-N president was of the opinion that in addition to "rigging being a major factor behind PML-N's defeat in the election", the party also suffered due to some of its own shortcomings.

"One of the reasons due to which the party's campaign suffered was Nawaz's arrest," Shahbaz said. He also announced that a committee will be formed to look at the factors behind the unfavourable election results.

At this point, members in the meeting pointed out that senior leaders had laid more focus on their own constituencies instead of contributing to the party's campaign which affected the poll results. They suggested that Shahbaz should "take action against the incompetent people sitting by his side".

Shahbaz reminded the party members that the election for the speaker and deputy speaker will be held on Wednesday and urged them to support the candidates fielded by the party for the posts.

"The speaker and deputy speaker will be elected through secret ballot. I request [you all] to cast your vote for the candidates that we have elected through consensus," Shahbaz said. He also asked his party members to "be punctual" for the session on August 15.

"The PML-N will perform its role like a mature political party," he maintained.

Shahbaz claimed that contrary to the election of the speaker and deputy speaker, the prime minister will not be elected through secret ballot and the "world will watch it". The election for the prime minister will be held on Aug 17.

The former Punjab chief minister also promised to address the reservations of "angry workers" of the party. At the same time, he insisted that the members "follow the line" laid out by the party leadership.

The party members also complained that the leadership did not take the party into confidence when it formed an alliance with the PPP. Shahbaz assured the members that the leadership had kept the party's interests in consideration while taking decisions.

The PML-N lawmakers questioned why the party had failed to get the support of any of the independent candidates despite the PML-N being the ruling party in the province for the past decade.

Shahbaz responded to this by saying that the party had contacted independent candidates, however, they had all refused to extend their support to the PML-N. "Some of the candidates said things I can't even repeat here," he claimed.

The PML-N members also expressed displeasure at the party's lack of protest during the oath-taking ceremony earlier in the day, saying that the PPP raised slogans on Bilawal Bhutto Zardari's arrival in the assembly, while the PML-N leaders "sat quietly". Shahbaz tried to placate the members, saying that the "time to protest had not arrived yet".

The lawmakers termed PPP leader Khursheed Shah's role as the opposition leader in the previous government as "admirable" and hoped that Shahbaz would do a similar job.

Nawaz deserves better treatment

Shahbaz also condemned that Nawaz Sharif was brought to the accountability court today in an armoured vehicle, asking if a thrice-elected prime minister deserved such treatment.

"The federal and Punjab government should understand that Nawaz Sharif deserves to be treated better."

The attendees of the meeting demanded that the party should run an "effective campaign" for Nawaz because he "meant a lot to [party] members". They lamented that the party had done nothing but sit around while Nawaz was brought to court and then taken back to jail.

Shahbaz, at this point, announced to go to the accountability court on the next hearing, that is to be held on August 15. He told party members to arrive at the accountability court by 8am on Wednesday.

"Your criticism has affected Shahbaz Sharif," he said. "We will go to the accountability court first and then got to attend the speaker and deputy speaker's election."

He further said that the PML-N members will attend the assembly session on Wednesday with black bands tied on their arms.

Comments (73) Closed

Telling his party members as to who they should vote for the post of the speaker is rigging as well. The vote should be on merit basis not on party lines. We have seen enough of that from PML-N.

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pakistan deserves better

Aug 13, 2018 07:35pm

Poor losers PLMN.

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Anti-Corruption_Pakistani

Aug 13, 2018 07:44pm

A typical statement of a defeated politician, blaming others for failure and mishaps, rather than reviewing their personal and party's performance. The fact is that because of corrupt practices and miserable performance, public have rejected PMLN and elected PTI as a future party that are likely to cut down government's expenditures and will take care of poor people's issues without any personal interests.

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TomTom

Aug 13, 2018 07:45pm

I believe the phrase is historic rigging. The PML-N was out rigged. That is what made history.

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L.Ahmad

Aug 13, 2018 07:45pm

Blame everyone else but yourself. You have blighted vision, can’t see what you did wrong.

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JR

Aug 13, 2018 07:49pm

I heard the wordings of The Oath and I was convinced that Nawaz Sharif could be tried and convicted for violating his oath.

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Arshad patel

Aug 13, 2018 07:49pm

That's correct.....they will do it again and again with a larger margin 'til both Shahbaz and Zardari get ousted forever!

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Shahid

Aug 13, 2018 07:52pm

denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance
denial, anger and acceptance. ( short version )
PML-N leaders are going through that at the moment

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Anees A.

Aug 13, 2018 07:55pm

Mr. Shahbaz - Please be ready to defend your own mis-deeds over last 3 decades!

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Ahsan Gul

Aug 13, 2018 07:58pm

Once a person is labeled as a convict then government used the established protocol to bring Nawaz in an armored truck like any other prisoner.
Shame on Shreeif family and politicians to argue on small petty things.

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KHK

Aug 13, 2018 08:05pm

Mr: Shahbaz Sharif stop worrying about the elections anymore , think about the jail term which is coming next. Both brothers will be togather for long time.

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ali

Aug 13, 2018 08:13pm

Don't worry soon you will join your dear brother.

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Naeem

Aug 13, 2018 08:14pm

It was massive corruption and incompetence which caused the defeat

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SHAHID SATTAR

Aug 13, 2018 08:24pm

Won't you blame the rats who would leave every time a ship appears to be sinking? They abound in the Pakistani political circles.

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Magnanimous approach

Aug 13, 2018 08:29pm

If you win it’s ok. If you lose it’s rigging. The answer to such nonsenses is change in system. The system of “ proportional representation “ is the quick solution.
And last but not least, only graduates and more educated be allowed to contest, after full background checks.

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Tigre

Aug 13, 2018 08:34pm

Hysterical Rigging caused the fall of the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz. The people could not get rid of him fast enough.

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Sameer

Aug 13, 2018 08:36pm

Nawaz can leave once he returns my money!

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Adnan

Aug 13, 2018 08:51pm

"Shahbaz also condemned that Nawaz Sharif was brought to the accountability court today in an armoured vehicle, asking if a thrice-elected prime minister deserved such treatment". @Shahbaz Sarif, did you ever think about how you treated the people of Pakistan?? What goes around comes around!!

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Farrukh

Aug 13, 2018 08:57pm

It sounds like a very difficult meeting for the PMLN leadership. Well, Shahbaz can only handle people when he is in power. Now, we will see whether he is a politician or not.

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Alia Khaan

Aug 13, 2018 09:00pm

So being corrupt and traitors and Pakistani hating them is not the reason?

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AW

Aug 13, 2018 09:07pm

He is shameless as ever. If Shahbaz Sharif has any iota of shame left, he should resign from politics. His corrupt practices now stand exposed and the myth of his administrative acumen has been shattered.

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Zeeshan Ahmed

Aug 13, 2018 09:08pm

I'm still amazed at the feudal mentality of the Sharif Bros "does a thrice elected prime minister need to be brought in a armored van".....need someone remind him that stealing money from the nation is even more disgraceful when done by the very person elected in trust by the country?

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Bilal Khan

Aug 13, 2018 09:11pm

PMLN will wear black ribbons to the parliament to mark the awakening of the people of Pakistan.

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Saud Bin Farooq

Aug 13, 2018 09:42pm

While SS still refers himself in the third person, someone sane should get someone sane elected to pmln chair.. Like a rock perhaps?

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Ali

Aug 13, 2018 09:53pm

Shahbaz Sharif stop blaming others for PML-N defeat. Please stop living in denial and face the reality. Your party didn't accept Supreme Court's decision on removing your brother from premiership on proven corruption charges.
You said the people will give their verdict in election. Well, that has come and the people overwhelmingly support
Imran Khan's PTI as he pledged to eliminate political corruption. So respect the people's verdict, even though you are not in power you can still help Pakistan's progress and prosperity. National interest must come before party or personal interest.

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Ahmed

Aug 13, 2018 10:27pm

Nawaz Sharif deserves better treatment. He should be sent to Mach Jail.

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azam khan

Aug 13, 2018 10:37pm

Shahbaz knows that he is lying; but he does it anyway. He is a compulsive liar.

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LahoriBadshah

Aug 13, 2018 10:53pm

If NawaZ deserves better treatment than so does every other crook, thug and brigand should deserve the same clemency as well!

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Sameer

Aug 13, 2018 10:58pm

No black worn today.

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RIZ

Aug 13, 2018 11:11pm

All people he is talking about was hired by his party teaming up with PPP so stop complaining and start counting days till you and Zardari will be in jail with Nawaz.

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Reality

Aug 13, 2018 11:20pm

Nawaz group lost due to their over confidence.

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Shahzad

Aug 13, 2018 11:35pm

It all boils down to NS must be treated like a VVIP in jail. That's the PMN-L manifesto

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Malik

Aug 13, 2018 11:38pm

Look who's talking.

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Kamal

Aug 13, 2018 11:55pm

Lock him up.

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Khan Pakistani

Aug 14, 2018 12:09am

Enough SS! Your time is over ! Nation is awake now

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Abdul Basit

Aug 14, 2018 12:34am

PML-N performed poorly in the elections due to its own shortcomings.

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Zahir

Aug 14, 2018 12:35am

If there is one there is one thing he is not blaming for the failure is himself, NS & the group around him for being corrupt & letting lose corruption opportunities as a group.

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Ahsan Gul

Aug 14, 2018 12:44am

Shabaz needs to be with his brother in jail. Model Town case has his and Rana’s Involvement. 14 people lost their lives.

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An Open Eye

Aug 14, 2018 12:44am

Defeat appears to be a difficult pill to swallow.

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ABE

Aug 14, 2018 12:46am

Or simply, because your party leader and head of Sharif family was found to be corrupt, liar and a thief? People were fedup with his airs of Royalty and his loud-mouth Princess -in-the-waiting, daughter who never shied away from insulting the sensibilities of the public, rediculed the judges, while accused of lying about sources of obscene wealth - as she appeared in courts wearing French designer duds, that would cost most people a year worth of earnings. That' what people wanted to get rid of. That's why the party was defeated in the elections.

Get your facts right, take an Aspirin and chill - for the next 5-10 years.. While IK finds more ways to give you headaches!

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M Ayub

Aug 14, 2018 12:48am

Please bring back the looted money of the nation from abroad, we will welcome NS,AZ or whoever it is.

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Owais Mangal

Aug 14, 2018 12:52am

Please do not show up at the parliament.

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M. Afzal Riaz, MD

Aug 14, 2018 01:22am

Why Nawaz and Shahbaz in 5 years did not out in place by LAW Rigging proof system for all times?

They thought they can do Rigging again

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Concerned 1

Aug 14, 2018 01:23am

Miss this man not being the prime minister

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Naeem

Aug 14, 2018 01:25am

Please accept that the public rejected you because of massive corruption and looting Don’t blame rigging accept your failure

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Lahori kid

Aug 14, 2018 01:38am

Here is the reaon why PML-N lost, and I'll just use the words spoken by Shahbaz Sharif himself. leadership had kept the party's interests in consideration while taking decisions, it would have been a much more rewarding outcome if PML-N had kept the interests of the people of Pakistan and the country. But the party was more important, and it showed in their performance, same goes for PPP. Independence day Mubarak, Naya Pakistan Mubarak

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Awan Sahib

Aug 14, 2018 01:51am

Shahbaz Sharif is a hypocrite. He is enough to destroy PMLN. This one family party has no future. After Nawaz it is Shahbaz and then their sons and daughters will take over this party.

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Khalid

Aug 14, 2018 02:48am

Mr little Sharif, your days of behaving like a king, are numbered too.

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syed

Aug 14, 2018 02:59am

Or Mr Shahbaz Sharif your party lost because you broke records of corruption and Imran Khan exposed your family.? Buy a mirror and spend time in front of it with your family.

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Chaudhry

Aug 14, 2018 03:00am

Why should Nawaz be treated any different? He is found guilty and serving prison sentence. Just because he was a prime minister does not mean he should be given special treatment.

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Iname haq

Aug 14, 2018 03:25am

Maybe you lost because the nation didn't want you# cluess!

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jaredlee007

Aug 14, 2018 03:29am

Yes, historical rigging done by people of Pakistan using their votes that could not be touched by thugs of PML-N.

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Tahir Chaudhry

Aug 14, 2018 03:34am

Keep on crying, you will be in the slammer soon.

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Ahsan Gul

Aug 14, 2018 03:44am

Shabaz forgot that PML-N has ruined Pakistan's financial capabilities. NS has taken in billions of dollars to England.
Who Shabaz is trying to fool?

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Fawad Bilgrami

Aug 14, 2018 04:15am

Just move on Shahbaz and accept the defeat.
Besides you guys are better off to sit in the opposition.

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Aamir

Aug 14, 2018 04:22am

Rigged election of all time. 90% of form 45 does not contain signatures of polling agents!

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Neo

Aug 14, 2018 04:23am

Taste of own medicine perhaps.

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Akil Akhtar

Aug 14, 2018 04:32am

Prove the rigging...many of your candidates have won in recount against PTI....the fact is our parties will damage public confidence in the system and in Pakistan just to hide their own failures....

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Bilal Khan

Aug 14, 2018 04:33am

PMLN was all set to win 2018 elections until Panama leaks exposed your corruption. Simple.

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Imtiaz kh

Aug 14, 2018 05:10am

Shahbaz can't play arole NS can.He should in absence of NS continue to protest the way NS is treated. All evil forces involved creating hurdles in election.Rigging at large scale using hateful methods installed artificial results.Zardari is basically coward n with corrupt history can't play effective role Shahbaz should also not rely on him.P.M e!ection wd InshaAllah be test whether Zardari n his son vote for Shahbaz.I doubt ,he may be absent r waste his vote.Shahbaz should threreafter in consultation with party entire membership follow line of action for future.

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Voter

Aug 14, 2018 05:52am

NS is already having special treatment, as he is not brought in the normal prisoner's bus. The convicted man is sitting in an air-conditioned vehicle.

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M. Afzal Riaz, MD

Aug 14, 2018 06:15am

Regarding Nawaz treatment, Under the law, No body, is above the law for VIP treatment, no body is below the law.

All are equal under the law. Nawaz is convicted for corruption.

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Tamza

Aug 14, 2018 06:19am

An HONEST person would ACCEPT responsibility - but most politicians [and lawyers] are known to be lying when their lips are moving.

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Saira Khan

Aug 14, 2018 06:37am

Does the people's mandate carry no value? These thugs just want to remain in power till they or the country dies.

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Dr Syed Arshad Abbas Zaidi

Aug 14, 2018 07:07am

Shehbaz 's allegations about " historic rigging " in general election 2018 is farce and without any solid evidence.

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Khan

Aug 14, 2018 07:07am

You are right, master of corruption, murder, tugs and a shortly. It was rigging otherwise PMLN would have never won 10 seats out of 14 in Lahore.

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fairplay

Aug 14, 2018 07:27am

yes, honesty, a party shortcoming. absence of corruption, another shortcoming.

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Muneer

Aug 14, 2018 07:41am

This time Sharifs ‘ Rigging system ‘ put in place by them didn’t work to its full capacity so this hue and cry by masters of rigging elections.

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Roy

Aug 14, 2018 08:13am

Never investigated historical rigging when his brother came in power, loser always complaint, he should go back to his palace in London UK and play around with looted money, otherwise his jail time coming soon.

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Syed meerza

Aug 14, 2018 09:07am

Shahbaz always remember, as you sow so you reep.

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HonorBright

Aug 14, 2018 10:26am

Considering the reputation of his committees one must give him credit if he is seriously thinking of forming another one to probe into reasons for his party's bad performance into election... Committees know everything!

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khanm

Aug 14, 2018 10:34am

Shahbaz blames 'historical rigging' and party's shortcomings for PML-N poll defeat... Indeed sir... A historical rigging of this country with dishonesty, corruption, embezzlement, exploitation. if I continue it would be a mile long list. Sir.. as long as I remember...Every election is a sort of advance auction sale of stolen goods. This time it changed... Sir with due respect...A politician thinks of the next election. A statesman, of the next generation. unfortunately, you are neither of the two...